Off season updates

Players signed to new contracts
Andrei Kostitsyn - 4 years - 2,600,000
Brett Connolly - 3 years - 1,200,000
Josh Harding - 2 years - 1,000,000
Owen Nolan - 2 years - 800,000
Saku Koivu - 2 years - 800,000
Colin White - 1 year - 600,000
Joel Lundqvist - 1 year - 500,000
Ben Guite - 1 year - 500,000
Rick Rypien - 1 year - 500,000
Arron Vorros - 1 year - 500,000
Nick Tarnasky - 1 year - 500,000
Andy Murray – 3 years – 1,500,000 [coach]

Players released
Matt D’Agostini

Players Drafted
Fillip Fosberg (yet to be signed)
Jeff Jopter (yet to be signed)
Ned Zepplin (yet to be signed)
Eddie Waring (yet to be signed)

The franchise has completed the majority of its off-season dealings before Free Agency commences. Early on a large number of pending FAs were signed, notably Andrei Kostitsyn ($10.4m) and marquee prospect Brett Connolly ($3.6m). Veterans Owen Nolan, Saku Koivu (both $1.6m) and Colin White will return to nurture the Pirates once more.

Prior to the draft Buff sent the 12th overall pick, a fourth rounder, Fabian Brunnstrom and Frans Nielsen to new boy Mocking Jay in order to secure the #2 pick. A steep price but one that paid off when Buff drafted the highly rated Fillip Fosberg. Other picks included winger Jeff Jopter and a pair of defence men, Ned Zepplin and Eddie Waring. All except Waring are expected to make the Pirates roster this season who will be coached once more by Andy Murray who signed a $4.5m contract extension.

The team continued off-season preparations with a number of trades. Perhaps the biggest trade saw the arrival of Matt Mouslon and Mark Stuart. Moulson, who replaces assistant captain Jason William, brings with him a more physical game and the ability to put the puck on net and will feature in the top 6 forwards. Stuart’s arrival and pairing on the top line with Dennis Wideman will allow Dennis Seidenberg to move to the third defensive pairing with Jack Johnson after the departure of another fan favourite Brooks Orpik. This had been a long term plan of GM Buff and both moves reduce the teams age whilst addressing minor needs. One further defensive shuffle saw long term farm roster player Lukas Krajicek swapped straight up for Johnny Boychuk who will see the limited minutes of the 7th d-man, a role lacking on the pro team since the departure of stalwart Rob Scuderi to the Swansea Sharks at last season’s trade deadline. Johan Franzen’s time at the club came to an end when he was traded for Enver Lisin. Franzen had been a great defensive forward but was not producing enough points considering the lengthy ice time spent with stars Daniel Sedin and Jonathan Toews. Lisin retains the disciplined hard-hitting style of Franzen but is substantially younger and cheaper with the potential to develop as an offensive threat. In all the team has got younger and harder-hitting with a little more scoring potential. It is hoped these small steps will be the final piece to push the franchise to its first eve play-off appearance.

Summary:

IN
Matt Moulson
Enver Lisin
Mark Stuart
Jonny Boychuk
Filip Fosberg

OUT
Jason Williams
Frans Nielsen
Johan Franzen
Fabian Brunnstrom
Brooks Orpik
Lukas Krajicek
1st round pick
2nd round pick

The Chatham Victory has signed 5 free agents to complete their roster for the upcoming season.

Grand Supremo Buff managed to ink the most prized free agent Anton Volchenkov to an $8.4million contract. Many spectators were left bemused by the move since the franchise is already burgeoning with blue line talent on both the pro and farm rosters. The clubs spokesman refused to confirm or deny rumours that Buff had been bidding simply to bait other GMs.

Three prospects - Ryan Tesink, Brett Ritchie and Matt Freiberg - were also signed to one year contracts after Vicent Lecavalier complained there was nobody to water his fuchsias. The young trio will work on a pro-rata basis to ensure the centre’s flower plots blossom in time for summer.

The final signing was key. Since the dawn of time the franchise has been plagued by poor goaltending. The management short-listed four candidates who were whittled down to one in a gruelling game of hopscotch. Jose Theodore sneakily tripped up Marty Turco in the final round to take a points decision and the prize of a one-year contract.

BuffonIdol wrote:The management short-listed four candidates who were whittled down to one in a gruelling game of hopscotch. Jose Theodore sneakily tripped up Marty Turco in the final round to take a points decision and the prize of a one-year contract.

Will there be video highlights of this?

Poor Turco

He tried to blame it on his dog. That went against him.